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'Friends' raising funds for new state park
New Dismal Swamp park in Camden


Staff Writer

Monday, March 24, 2008

A diverse group of area residents have formed a non-profit group to generate funds to support and promote the new Dismal Swamp State Park in Camden County.

"Friends of the Dismal Swamp State Park" is raising money to improve the new park, in addition to organizing events to attract visitors.

Brett A. Clark/The Daily Advance
Guests attending the Dismal Swamp State Park Visitor Center dedication ceremony Friday tour the new building.
 

"We plan to fund educational projects and items that the (park) rangers need," said Michele Aydlett, the group's president. "Like maybe the rangers need binoculars for taking groups out. They already told us they need more taxidermy mounts to put in the visitors center."

Aydlett noted that supporters of Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head raise more than $100,000 a year to improve the facility.

She said "Friends of the Dismal Swamp State Park" is incorporated, and has applied for non-profit status, which would make donations to the group tax deductible.

"We were trying to get it (started) so we had it going once the park opened," Aydlett said. "We're just really excited about all the eco-tourism this park is going to bring to this region. It's going to be a huge benefit for Camden and Elizabeth City."

She said a workshop on birds was recently held in the visitors center before the facility formally opened. It was a hit.

"People came from as far as Greensboro (for the event)," she said.

The group's first funds are being raised by selling charter memberships for at least $50, she said. Donors have their names inscribed on a plague at the center.

"Some people buy them for children and grandchildren," she said.

The group members also can offer diverse views on ways the park can be promoted and improved, Aydlett said.

In addition to Aydlett, other board members include:

• Tim Aydlett, Michele's husband, who also is a member of the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Authority that helped fund the new park;

• Debbie Leete, Albemarle Hospital community outreach coordinator;

• Buck Bunch, a Perquimans County High School teacher;

• Eddie O'Neal, an attorney;

• Joe Winslow, an accountant;

• George Ramsey, a historian of the swamp who lives in Suffolk;

• Tom Morgan, a retired forester in Gates County;

• Phil Johnson of Pepsi Cola Bottling Ventures in Elizabeth City;

• Wanda McLean, a retired Elizabeth City State teacher;

• Mike Dixon, an owner in City Beverage Co., Inc.;

• Travis Burke, county extension director;

• Charlotte Underwood, a public affairs manager with Embarq;

• Capt. Mark Rose, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Support Center Elizabeth City;

• Wilson Jones, with J.W. Jones lumber company; and

• Penny Leary-Smith, director of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center.

Leary-Smith said the park has been asked to present the group with a wish list of items that officials believe could help improve the facility. So far, some suggestions have included a projector or children's laptop computer, she said.

Leary-Smith also said the group will help the park organize events.

"We want to make this an eco-tourism destination," she said. "We can do that because with the trails, and the state park, and the welcome center, we can promote hiking, biking, birding, paddling (and) photography."

Comments

By Dwight Williams

Mar 27, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

The Dismal Swamp State Park is a dream realized due to the late Dr.Joseph Gill, who along with the Director of N.C. State Parks (I think it was Tom Ellis) worked with the Nature Conservancy to purchase the property. The park is a great accomplishment and I am glad a "friends" group has organized.

By Alex Triban

Mar 26, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Who do I talk to about making a $1,000,000 contribution?

Please post name, phone, and address.

Sincerely,
Donor

By Judith

Mar 24, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

If it wasn't for Penny Leary-Smith, there would NOT be a State Park. She's the one who had the dream (15 years ago), who walked the halls in Raleigh searching for support and funding on her own time and money, who struggled alone trying to make this dream come true for her county and region. Nobody could ever imagine the time and effort she has given to make this park a reality ~ she deserves every bit of credit given to her. I should know ... I have been her assistant for the past 19 years and it has been an honor!!!

P.S. She doesn't need another office and she doesn't want to run the State Park ~ they already have an exceptional staff. She does her best work in the halls of Congress keeping the canal open, in the halls of Raleigh seeking support for area projects, and networking in the travel industry on behalf of the region. Whether you like her or not, give her the credit she's more than due!

By Joe

Mar 24, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

Keep Penny Leary out of it and it will work fine! Next she will want an office in the building!

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